I frittered my life (and chores) away again today dabbling with paint. Exploring this image is however proving a happy experience.
My painting mood often mirrors that of the moment when I took the reference shot. As Toad would say, "There's nothing better than messing around in boats!" I would add only the caveat of "in good weather." This particular day was idyllic. There was lots of water in the river, a situation which dramatically lowers the likelihood of dealing with rocks. While we own five canoes and a kayak (a situation I would never had predicted, but there you have it), they are all getting a bit long in the tooth so water volume matters. The second ingredient is good weather and this particular day fit the bill. I think we were paddling Durham to Hanover here; certainly we were on The Saugeen. I remember putting my paddle down frequently to take dozens of shots from the bow while Jon amiably aimed us toward the deepest channel. The river had a dream-like quality. We floated above a high-key semi-abstract painting.
Now as I work on the painting, the depths of the river are slowly revealing themselves to me below that glowing surface. I can see that Jon is guiding us towards the deeper water against the left bank. I can see the current picking up but no back ferrying will be needed on this calm August waterway. The huge walnut trees are casting huge deep shadows but sunshine sneaks through often enough to dapple the banks with memories of spring greens. There are signs of autumn here and there.
It's a complicated scene and I primed this large canvas several months ago in preparation for tackling it on a large canvas. Taking the first stroke didn't happen until last weekend. Winston Churchill was a Sunday painter who stood one day paralyzed before the pure white sheet of watercolour paper ; his painting companion apparently reached over and made a swipe with his own loaded brush, announcing "The enemy is vanquished!"
So have I stood all summer in front of my own empty canvas. And then suddenly, the time was right. I have gradually learned to accept this invitation to the dance more gracefully; it was Hamlet who taught me. I have always believed that the play is not so much about indecision but rather, the process of becoming ready. At the end of Act IV when he explains to Horatio that "Readiness is all," Hamlet signals his sense of clarity, and the play's action hurls itself towards the final tragedy.
Now while I do hope that is not quite what is happening to my canvas, I do agree with Shakespeare that it may be necessary to wait until the time is right. Most importantly, only you know when that moment has arrived but when it does, the command to begin is unmistakeable.
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